ABC to review performance at AGM

MASERU — The ruling All Basotho Convention (ABC) is set to hold a two-day annual general meeting in Mohale’s Hoek next month to review the party’s performance since it assumed the reins of power last May.

Thabiso Litšiba, the party’s secretary general, told the Lesotho Times on Wednesday that the February 26-27 AGM will primarily discuss coordination between the party and its representatives in government to establish if they are still on track “in terms of the mandate given”.

The ABC, led by Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, is a senior partner in the coalition government that unseated former Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili’s administration after the May 26 election produced a hung parliament.

Thabane’s coalition partners are the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) party under Deputy Prime Minister Mothetjoa Metsing’s leadership and the Basotho National Party (BNP) under Sports Minister Thesele ’Maseribane’s leadership.

“When we went for elections in May, in our campaigns we made promises to the masses who voted for us. We need to reassure ourselves that the promises are implemented,” Litšiba said.

“The idea is that those in government are tasked with the responsibility of executing the mandate given them by the ABC as a political party. They answer to the party.”

He added: “We need to ensure that we are still on track in terms of the mandate given to government representatives by the party.”

Litšiba said the AGM will assess the status quo, identify areas of weakness and “devise mechanisms to improve on shortcomings”.

He said the main motive behind the strengthening of coordination in the ABC both at party and government level was to create an environment in which there was a stream of information “so that people are not in the dark with regard to government activities”.

According to Litšiba, the party will also conduct a post-mortem on its status since becoming part of the coalition government to assess “how far we have grown since becoming government”.

“We will at the meeting discuss the status of the party, the insight of which will be provided by the secretary general’s report to be tabled before the meeting,” Litšiba said.

The treasurer-general and chairpersons of district coordination committees will also be expected to table their reports.

Litšiba added that there will be no elections to replace members who have since joined the civil service as principal secretaries.

“It’s not an elective conference. Yes, there are vacancies in the committee that need to be filled. But we’ll deal with them in due course and as is dictated by the ABC constitution,” Litšiba said.

“We cannot just throw elections into the mix simply because there are people who have a different opinion. We’re adhering strictly to the AGM’s programme and our constitution.”

Treasurer General Sam Rapapa, public relations officer Lerotholi Pheko and publicity secretary Thabo Thakalekoala are some of the ABC committee members who have since joined the civil service.

Rapapa is the PS for Economic Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Office, Pheko serves as the planning ministry’s PS while Thakalekoala is the press secretary in the PM’s office.

When contacted for comment, Thabane told this paper that the AGM was significant as it will create a platform for the ABC to “reflect and count our political fortunes”.

“It will remind our people that not only are we extremely lucky but also challenged that we’re part of the coalition government,” Thabane said.

“We had planned to win elections outright but it didn’t happen like that.

“Instead we became part of willing partners whose main aim is to provide solutions for Lesotho’s problems, solely for the benefit of its people.”